As the next day came, the streets of Washington were crowded with many protesters. As they marched up to the White House the President and many Congressmen were waiting for them. There was police officers and an audience that were put on hold for Martin Luther King Jr. to give his speech to all of the people
This was a day that American citizens would remember forever, not only because of the events themselves, but because of the
Americans have lost their lives for centuries in exchange for our nation’s freedom, but is every citizen really free? President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed congress following a police beat down during a peaceful protest in Selma, Alabama. The protest led by Martin Luther King became a turning point in American history; attacks on African American’s at Selma sparked reason in the eyes of many. Johnson used his address to Congress as a call to action, his goal was to ensure freedom and equality for all citizens; they shall not face persecution for the color of their skin. “We Shall Overcome” suggests that the text focuses on the constitutionality of the police beat down in Selma, Alabama and the concern of how our nation will overcome the issues of racism.
He questions his audience of the significance of Independence Day to slaves, and he answers it in an extremely contrasting way: “your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; … your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery,” that the celebration is “a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.” Douglass dismisses the national pride, characterizing it as a mere expression of people’s ignorance. The antithesis, with “greatness” being “vanity,” “sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless,” and “shouts of liberty and equality” being “hollow mockery,” provokes shock and anger from the audience, who have just been part of it and are now degraded as “savages.” However, Douglass was not trying to be inflammatory but provocative, witnessing the pathetic enthusiasm in the anniversary, that people feel exuberant about themselves while ignoring the saddening
When most people hear the words “Fourth of July” they think about fireworks, cookouts, and sparklers. During the 1850’s, the Fourth of July served as a reminder of the many horrors and injustices in the world. On July 4, 1852, Frederick Douglass-- a former American slave, abolitionist leader and adroit speaker-- spoke in Rochester, New York about the affectation of celebrating independence. In his speech, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery”, he claims celebrating independence is unethical when slavery is widespread. To convince the reader of his claim, he uses rhetorical questions, emotional appeal, and antithesis in hopes of shedding light and sparking action on the wrongful situation.
Many white Americans celebrate this day, but for slaves this day was worse than normal days at work. “Your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless” (Dilbeck: page 2). Even though Frederick didn’t get to talk to every white man on this day, he got his point out to
Douglass expresses to his spectators, while they dwell in the luxurious ability to partake in this joyous celebration of freedom for a nation, not everyone in that nation is sharing in the celebration. In The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, he writes “The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you and not by me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn” (Douglass 1).
Douglass exclaims, “above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions, whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday are today rendered more intolerable by the jubilant shouts that reach them.” This excerpt of Douglass’s speech displays the deception hidden in America’s 4th of July. While free whites may celebrate and rejoice their freedom, the slaves are reminded of their own imprisonment. Douglass wanted to get his audience to question whether Independence Day could still be Independence Day if not every man in America was free. “To [the slave] [the white American’s] celebration is a sham.”
It is not a day to spew his brand of divisive religious and political rhetoric but to reflect on the sacrifices made by our servicemen and servicewomen and express our gratitude for their selfless devotion. The fact that elected officials, fellow veterans, and others in attendance stood up and clapped for Mr. Jones's speech is deeply concerning. Our elected officials are responsible for representing all of the people they serve. Endorsing such discriminatory speech undermines their trust and perpetuates division and
You may rejoice, I must mourn.” This statement uses logical reasoning to emphasize the difference between free citizens and slaves, as the Fourth of July is a celebration for free citizens, but for slaves, it is a day of mourning. He also states, “Are the great principles of political freedom and of
Many people when they hear the words “Fourth of July” they think about fireworks, cookouts, and sparklers! During the 1850’s it is a day that reminded many of the horrors and injustices in the world. On July 4, 1852 Frederick Douglass, a former American slave and an abolitionist leader, spoke in Rochester, New York about the affectation of celebrating independence. In his speech, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” he claims celebrating independence when there are slaves widespread is unethical. To convince the reader of his claim he uses rhetorical questions, word choice and anthesis in hopes to shed light and spark action on the wrongful situation.
Every year, since 1971, Memorial Day has been observed as a national holiday in the United States, in which we honor those who died while protecting our country. To me, Memorial Day is a time where we as a nation, are reminded that all of the freedoms and rights that we take for granted, came at the cost of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our country. When Memorial Day befalls its designated date, I am reminded that people fought and died for my freedom and rights. I am reminded that if people didn’t fight for me and for this country, it wouldn’t be the great and prosperous country that it is. Therefore, I take pride in the fact that someone went to war and died to protect my freedoms.
Unfortunately for these individuals, this celebration of “political freedom” was not applied to their ancestors. In fact, their ancestors were not granted to receive freedom similar to the Founding Fathers. Instead, these individuals were held hostage by the evils of slavery being brutally beaten, raped, whipped, chained, and murdered. Why should one wish to celebrate this moment in history when he/ she was not even granted the ability to be free?
Winter was just around the corner. It was my first time in the biggest coffee shop in town. I could see the cheerful and brilliant lighting of the shop as I walked across the vast parking lot. There were tables outside the shop each with a brown vintage style umbrella. This particular coffee shop is not a cafe, it’s a coffee shop literally.
